To the editor:

I knew state Sen. John Loudon in high school. I remember a football game against Affton, which had a disabled player who needed crutches to get on and off the field. He was John's blocking assignment. John couldn't bring himself to hit him. John was of high moral character. Even though we lost the game, we learned that some things are more important than winning. We learned about the strength and courage it takes to do what you feel is right.

I don't know what happened to John over the past 20 years. The people he used to fight for and protect are the ones he has declared war on as far as policy is concerned.

In my opinion, workers' compensation reform is a joke. My wife worked in a nursing home. She had to lift a man who weighed over 250 pounds by herself. Her knee gave out. Workers' comp refused to pay her 80 percent of her salary while she was rehabilitating her knee. Workers' comp refused to pay for her knee surgery. Medicaid paid the medical bills. I ask you, who abused the system?

MIKE MILLER, Cape Girardeau